Leaders pitch The Woodlands' benefits

Published 2:13 pm, Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Members of the Conroe Independent School District and The Woodlands Development Co. served up a little Texas hospitality to Exxon Mobil employees in Virginia who will be relocating to the new Exxon Mobil campus in 2014 and 2015.

"The event was extremely well organized and we felt honored to be included," said Susan Vreeland-Wendt, marketing director for The Woodlands Development Co. "The hospitality extended to us by Exxon Mobil management was truly amazing. The event was a great way to showcase our area, and we were grateful for this incredible opportunity."

An estimated 3,000 Exxon Mobil employees and their families attended the "Let's Discover Houston Fair" on April 20-21 at the Exxon Mobil headquarters for Downstream Operations in Fairfax, Va. and met with community and school district leaders.

Exxon Mobil plans to relocate the Downstream facility and is moving 2,100 employees to a 385-acre campus located along Interstate 45 in Spring, not far from The Woodlands.

Vreeland-Wendt said they were able to make contact with nearly 500 potential residents, some of whom had been residents of the Houston area previously.

"Many of our guests had lived in the Houston area before and knew about The Woodlands, but for others this was their first exposure to our community," she said.

Many of those potential first-time residents were parents with young children, who were concerned about the schools, as well as finding a nice home in the area.

Lisa Meeks, communications director for Conroe ISD, said many of those who visited with her during the two-day event were familiar with The Woodlands and Conroe ISD, and are considering moving to The Woodlands.

"Many of the Exxon Mobil employees had done a little homework, and they knew they wanted to be in Conroe ISD," Meeks said.

Campus close to area

Although the campus itself is in the Spring Independent School District, it's close to The Woodlands and Conroe ISD, making it an ideal consideration for families, district officials said.

"With low tax rates, high achieving schools, and many career opportunities, people want to live in Montgomery County," Meeks added.

The Woodlands Development Co. presented a display on 55-inch touch screen monitors that allowed Exxon Mobil employees to see the scope of The Woodlands for themselves.

Homebuying info

Developers and realty companies were also there to help answer questions for potential home buyers, Vreeland-Wendt said.

"As with any major relocation, some families were more receptive than others," she said.

"Those with young children were particularly concerned about relocating their kids to new schools, as any parent would be."

Good information

Vreeland-Wendt said the employees left the fair with plenty of good information at their disposal.

"They were extremely receptive and appreciative for the information we provided," she said.

Vreeland-Wendt said many requested more information about The Woodlands community and the local school district, which is being mailed to those employees. Patrick McGinn, spokesman for Exxon Mobil in Fairfax, said employees and family members who attended the fair, gave the event very high marks.

"Feedback from those who attended the fair said they appreciated the wide variety of information that was available about the amenities, services and lifestyle opportunities available in the Houston area," McGinn said. "We consider the event a great success."